Southwest Airlines settles lawsuit with Gaby Assouline family

The family of a disabled Florida woman who became paralyzed and later died after being “thrown” onto a Southwest Airlines walkway has settled their case against the airline, The Post has learned.

The family’s attorney, Robert Solomon, confirmed the settlement to The Post but declined to divulge the amount.

Gaby Assouline, 25, suffered from a genetic muscle disorder and was using a wheelchair while traveling to Denver from Fort Lauderdale in February 2022.

She and her mother asked a Southwest employee for assistance, according to the lawsuit, which had sought millions in medical expenses and damages.

Her family asserted her request was refused, and she was forced to negotiate the jet bridge to the aircraft by herself.

Assouline was then “thrown” from the wheelchair after hitting a ridge and landed on her head, causing severe injuries that left her paralyzed from the neck down, the suit states.

After 11 bedridden months, Assouline died in January 2023.

Veteran Miami personal injury attorney Nicholas Gerson of Gerson and Schwartz said the final sum was likely in the millions given the circumstances of the case.

“There are a lot of variables, but given what took place here, I would be comfortable saying this was in the seven figures,” he said.

Her mother, plaintiff Sandra Assouline, said last year her daughter was forced to use a feeding tube and could no longer speak after the incident.

“The fear and pain she is showing in her eyes when she wakes up in those brief moments of clarity is too much to bear,” her mom said at the time.

Assouline said her daughter suffered from a disorder that turns muscle tissue into bone, a condition that limited her mobility.

The airline extended its condolences at the time of her passing while fighting the case in court. Southwest argued early on that Assouline had turned down an offer of help.

“Southwest offers its sincere condolences to Ms. Assouline’s family, friends and all whose lives she touched,” the February 2023 statement read.

Assouline’s family said it had hoped Gaby would eventually be able to return home before her state worsened.

“Gaby’s life was tragically interrupted 11 months ago but she put up the greatest fight with grace, friends, laughter and the strong belief that she would leave the hospital and come home very soon,” they wrote online. “Unfortunately, complications robbed Gaby of that ending.”